Go Handicaps - Compensation Points

Compensation Points

When the difference in strength is one rank, no handicap stone is given. Instead the stronger player takes white but without compensation points. The compensation points are called Komi in Japanese. It is a custom that Black plays first; White moves second. Playing first is regarded as a significant advantage in modern go, and to make the game fair to both players, this advantage must be compensated. It is regarded that playing first is equal to half a move or more ahead throughout the game.

Another common type of compensation used is the reverse compensation points, where the weaker player takes black, and is given both the first move and compensation points too. This is more advantageous than the above situation.

Compensation points are sometimes preferred to stones because the players would like to play or practice as if it is an even game. They would like to have the feel of an "even game". White (the stronger player) must play better to overcome these disadvantages (points gained by playing first + compensation points).